পৃষ্ঠা 316: তৃতীয় অধ্যায়: কিয়ামতের মহা আলামতসমূহ (মাহদী, দাজ্জাল, ঈসা (আ.), ইয়াজুজ-মাজুজ, পশ্চিমাকাশে সূর্যোদয়)

Note: The Reconciliation Between the Narrations Concerning the Conquest of Constantinople

The second possibility is supported by what Nu'aym ibn Hammad narrated from Muhammad ibn al-Hanafiyyah, who said: "Al-Mahdi will rise in the year two hundred."

He also narrated from Ja'far al-Sadiq, who said: "Al-Mahdi will rise in the year two hundred."

He also narrated from Abu Qabil, who said: "The gathering of the people around al-Mahdi will take place in the year two hundred and four."

Note

The way to reconcile these narrations is: the completion of his manifestation, which will occur through the conquest of Constantinople, will take place in the year two hundred, and all the people will gather around him in the year two hundred and four, following the conquest of Rome and al-Qati'. This does not contradict the emergence of the Dajjal at the turn of a century, because that is considered with respect to the initial emergence of al-Mahdi in the East and his proclamation of the Caliphate, or because four, five, or even ten years into the century are conventionally regarded as being at the turn of the century.

Accordingly, if the emergence of al-Mahdi takes place seven, nine, thirty, or forty years before the turn of the century, it does not preclude him from being considered as emerging at the turn of the century; likewise, if the end of his term extends beyond the turn of the century, the same applies.

All of these are speculative matters transmitted through solitary reports (ahad). Some of them are sound (sahih), some are fair (hasan), some are weak (da'if) but supported by corroborating testimonies, and some are without corroboration.

The utmost that has been established by the numerous, renowned, explicit, and authentic narrations, which have reached the level of mass transmission in meaning (tawatur ma'nawi), is the occurrence of the major signs, among which, or rather the first of which, is the emergence of al-Mahdi. He will come at the end of time from the lineage of Fatimah (may Allah be pleased with her), filling the earth with justice just as it had been filled with oppression; he will fight the Romans in the Great Epic Battle (al-Malhamah) and conquer Constantinople; the Dajjal will appear during his era, and 'Isa (peace be upon him) will descend and pray behind him. Beyond this, all details are speculative or uncertain, and Allah knows best the true reality of affairs.

We seek refuge with Allah from deviation, misguidance, and extremism in speech. All praise is due to Allah in every circumstance, and blessings be upon the one who attained the pinnacle of perfection, morning and evening, and upon his family and companions, the best of companions and kin. May Allah forgive us, our parents, our forebears, and our brethren in clay, faith, lineage, and spirit, and all the Ummah of Muhammad (ﷺ). Amin.